Bridge connector for phase conductor of current collecting system

ABSTRACT

A movable bridge connector providing in active position a continuous contact surface between spaced apart sections of a phase conductor at a switching station of a current collecting system. The connector comprises a rod pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the end of one of the sections, preferably a fixed section, and locking means cooperating with the end of the other section, preferably the movable section, to ensure the precise positioning and latching of the rod in active position so that a current collector may engage a through contact surface without jerking, even if moving at very high speed past the switching station.

United States Patent [1 1 Laurent et al.

[ 1 Nov. 12,1974

1 1 BRIDGE CONNECTOR FOR PHASE CONDUCTOR OF CURRENT COLLECTING SYSTEM 22Filed: Mar. 2, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 337,765

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 2,614.17) 10/1952 Donaldson191/38 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-D. W. Keen Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis,Miller & Mosher 1 1 ABSTRACT A movable bridge connector providing inactive position a continuous contact surface between spaced apartsections of a phase conductor at a switching station of a currentcollecting system. The connector comprises a rod pivotally mounted atone end thereof to the end of one of the sections. preferably a fixedsection, and locking means cooperating with the end of the othersection, preferably the movable section. to ensure the precisepositioning and latching of the rod in active position so that a currentcollector may engage a through contact surface without jerking, even ifmoving at very high speed past the switching station.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Mar. 15, 1972 France ..L 72.9746

[52] U.S. Cl. 191/38, 104/103 [51] Int. Cl B60m l/l8 [58] Field ofSearch 104/96-105, 104/130,131;191/38,22, 29,37

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,359,437 10/1944 Mattes191/38 PATENTEDrmv 12 1974 sum 10F 4 3847-255 PATENTEDHBV 12 19M3.847.255 SHEET HJF 4 BRIDGE CONNECTOR FOR PHASE CONDUCTOR OF CURRENTCOLLECTING SYSTEM spaced apart and aligned phase conductor rails foracurrent collector moving past a switching section. In switchingsections of a conveyor track, the track bifurcates into two branchtracks so that a mobile may be directed selectively into one or theother of the branch tracks, according to the position of a switch tongueassembly. In electrically powered traction systems, one or moreconductor rails are provided which extend parallel to the track andsupply current to the vehicles moving along the track through contactshoes engaging the conductor rails. The latter are generally comprisedby extruded or rolled-section rails of conducting material, such asaluminum, and the contact shoe engaging surface thereof is shaped, forexample dihedrally, to permit a proper centering and smooth sliding ofthe conformably shaped contact shoes. The contact surface of the railsmay be plated, for example with stainless steel, in order to reduce wearand enhance proper sliding of the contact shoes.

In certain known electric traction systems, such as overhead contactsystem tramways or trolleybuses, the switching sections of the contactsystems comprise a pivotally mounted tongue which is positionedaccording to the position of the switch of the track and which directsthe current collector into the proper branch conductor. The coursepositioning of the tongue of the prior 'art' devices and the gapsubsisting between the tongue and'the movable conductor make thesesystems improper for use with high speed'or high current conveyordevices, more particularly in case of polyphase supply systems liable toflashover between adjacent phase conductors.

It isan object of the invention to provide a bridge connector system ofhigh reliability ensuring a perfect alignment of the bridge connector inoperative position with the associated conductor rail sections and auniform and smooth'through contact surface for the current collectorwhich may move even at very high speeds past the bridge connectorsection without undergoing any jerk.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bridge connectorsystem especially adapted for polyphase feeding systems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bridge connectorsystem having improved control means. I It is a more specific object ofthe invention to provide an actuating system controlling in due orderthe positioning of the bridge connector and the latching of theconnector in the operative position thereof.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent upon readingof the following description of an embodiment of the invention shown inthe annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a switching station having bridgeconnectors pivotally connected to the stationary sections of the phaseconductor rails;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view on an enlarged scale of a detail ofthe assembly of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III III of FIG. 2, theconnectors being shown in the open or inoperative position thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line IV-IVof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially in axial cross section, on an enlargedscale, of a bridge connector according to the invention shown in theclosed or operative position thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 but showing on a smaller scalethe connector in the inoperative position.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a switching station 10 where amain track 10 bifurcates into a pair of branch tracks l4, 18. Theflexible phase conductors 12 of the main track may be selectivelyaligned by suitable actuator means (not shown) with one or the other ofthe branch tracks, phase bridge connectors 22, 22' being pivotallyconnected to the stationary phase conductors of the branch tracks 14, 18so that the closing thereof after due alignment of the movable section12 may establish a through path for a current collector (not shown)guided along the conductors past the switching station. The tracks l4,l6, 18 may constitute a three-phase current distribution system as shownin FIG. 4 wherein the three phase-conductor rails 20, 20' and 20" areregularly spaced apart and supported by insulating brackets 24 spacedalong the track to form a passageway for a collector head (not shown)having contact shoes urged into sliding contact with the dihedrallyshaped contact surfaces of the rails to supply current to a mobileguided parallel to the conductors. Such current collecting systems areknown and reference may be had for example to copending US. Pat.application, Sr. No. 201,510, now US. Pat. No. 3,790,725, for

further details. l l I The movable section 12 of the three-phase systemshown in FIG. 2 to 4 comprises three flexible rail con ductorscorresponding to the three phase'sof the power supply system and thefree end portions of the movable rails may be brought into alignmentwith the free end portions of the stationary rails of the branch track14 so that three bridge connectors 22, 22 and '22" pivotally connectedto the respective rails of the branch track 14 may be closed to form acontinuous through contact surface for the contact shoes of the currentcollector (not shown) moved past the switching station. Preferably, thebridge connectors 22, 22', 22" open outwardly relative to the passagewayconstituted by the phase conductors to avoid flashover between adjacentrails.

A stationary insulating bracket 24 secures the stationary-rails of thebranch track 1.4 in position and another C-shaped insulating bracket 26,which is movable and which may be slidably guided, fixes the relativeposition of the three movable conductors 12, or switch tongues, withrespect to each other. c

The connectors 22, 22', and 22" being of identical construction, onlyone of them, the bridge connector 22, will now be described in detailswith reference to FIG. 5 and 6. In the operative or closed position, thebridge connector 22 ensures the continuity of rail 20 between themovable section 12 and the stationary section 14. The connector 22 ispivotally mounted on a stationary axis 30 which is supported by astationary housing 32 secured to the end of rail 20 by bolts 34. Theupper part of housing 32, as viewed in FIG. 5, comprises a contactsurface 36 for the contact shoes which prolongs the contact surface ofrail 20. In a similar manner the end portion of movable rail 12 supportsa guiding and latching block 38 which is secured to rail 12 by straps 40andwhich carries a prolonged contact surface 42; a tapered positioningnotch 44 and a latching recess 54. The front surface 46 of the block 38and the matching frontal surface 48 of the connector are chamfered toensure a good contact therebetween and in case of deformation or thermalexpansion a reliable forced closing. The frontal surface of theconnector 22 carries-a tapered projection 50 which is shapedcomplementary to the shape of the notch 44 in order to cause a propercentering and final positioning of the closed connector 22. The lattercarries a sliding latch 52 which penetrates after final positioning ofthe connector 22 into the complementary shaped recess 54 of the block38. The control of the pivoting movement and the latching of theconnector 22 may be operated by appropriate mechanical, pneumatic,hydraulic or electrical means. In the embodiment shown, an electricmotor driving a reduction gear (not shown) may be lodged in a casing 28of the housing 32 and actuate a crank member 56 which operates a linkagegenerally designated by the numeral 58. The linkage 58 actuates areciprocating rod 60 which has its left-hand end (as viewed in FIG.pivotally connected to a toggle mechanism 62 comprised by levers 64 and66. The lever 64 is pivotally connected to the stationary pin and thelever 66 is pivotally connected at 68 to a slide 70 integral with thelatch 52. A .ball assembly 72 may lock the slide 70 by penetrating intoappropriately shaped recesses 74 carried by a stationary guide member ofthe slide 70. A sliding push rod 76 having an end portion which engagesas a cam follower, under the action of a spring 78, a cam surface 77shaped on the lever64 controls the locking and unlocking of the slide 70by the balls 72 according to the longitudinal position of the rod 76 inresponse to thepivoting of the connector 22. The push rod 76 has notches80 which are adapted to lodge the balls 72 as soon as the push rod hasoccupied its final position following the completion of the closingmovement of the connector 22'. The toggle joint 62 moves slightly beyondthe dead center position thereof at the endv of the closing movement ofthe connector 22 and a spring 82 urges the slide 70 towards a positioncorresponding to the collapsing of the toggle joint 62.

Starting from the inoperative or open position of the connector shown inFIG. 6, the closing thereof is initiated by a rotation of shaft 56 inthe counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, causing the rod 60to move to the left. As a result, the lever. 64 rotates in clockwisedirection so that the toggle joint 62 bearing on'the pivot axis 30 andon the slide 70, which remains locked on the connector 22 by the balls72, can rotate towards its closed operative position. In the meantimethe push rod 76 is moved by the cam 77 towards its lefthand positioncausing the notches 80 to register with the balls 72 which penetratethen into the notches. The now freed slide 70 moves to the left inresponse to a continuation of the movement of the toggle joint 62thereby pushing the end of the latching rod 52 into the recess 54. Atthe end of the stroke of the toggle joint 62 the connector 22 is rigidlyinterlocked with the movable section 12 of the rail as a result of themoving of the toggle joint beyond the dead center position thereof.

The opening of the connector is caused by the inverse movement of thedifferent elements beginning with the collapsing of the toggle joint 62which acts on the slide to withdraw the latching rod 52 from the recess54 and sequentially locks the slide 70 by the balls 72 and rotates theconnector towards the inactive position thereof.

The toggle joint 62 furnishes a high positioning and locking force atthe end of the closing movement of the connector 22 so that accidentalresistances due to iceforrnation or thermal deformations may be overcomewithout difficulties. Preferably, bellow means 84 protect the movingparts and shunting braids may be provided to improve the current flowacross the connector.

It is to be noted that the connectors 22,22 and 22" might also bepivotally connected to the moving rails of the switching station butthis arrangement would call for a more complicated control mechanism ofthe movement of the connector.

What is claimed is:

1. Bridge connector means to provide a continuous contact surface for asliding current collector between the confronting spaced apart endportions of a pair of aligned power supply rails of conducting materialhaving conformably shaped collector-engaging contact surfaces,comprising a bridge rod of conducting material having acollector-engaging contact surface shaped in conformity with the contactsurfaces of said rails and adapted to form a through contact surface forsaid collector in the operative position of said bridge rod, pivot meansto pivotally connect one end of said bridgerod to one of said endportions, locking means cooperating with the other of said end portionsto position and latch I said bridge rod in the operative positionthereof, and control means to control the pivoting movement of saidbridge rod between the operative and the nonoperative positions thereof,said control means comprising linkage means connected to said lockingmeans in such a manner as to cause the latching of said bridge rod afterthe, positioning in the operative position thereof and the unlatching ofsaid bridge rod before the movement thereof towards the inoperativeposition.

2. A device according to claim 1, said locking means comprising amovable latch carried by said bridge rod and adapted to penetrate into arecessdefined by said other end portion.

3. A device according to claim 1, said control means comprising togglelever means the stretching of which causing said bridge rod to be pushedinto the operative position thereof.

4. A device according to claim 3, said toggle lever means comprising acam surface cooperating with a slidable latch to cause the latching ofsaid bridge rod in the operative position thereof.

5. A device according to claim 4, said locking means comprising a lockadapted to hold said latch in the inoperative position thereof as longas said bridge rod has not attained the operative position.

6. Bridge connector means to provide a continuous contact surface for asliding current collector between the confronting spaced apart endportions of a pair of aligned power supply rails of conducting materialhaving conformably shaped collector-engaging contact surfaces,comprising a rigid bridge rod of conducting bridge rod to one of saidend portions, and locking means cooperating with the other of said endportions to position and latch said bridge rod in the operative positionthereof.

1. Bridge connector means to provide a continuous contact surface for asliding current collector between the confronting spaced apart endportions of a pair of aligned power supply rails of conducting materialhaving conformably shaped collectorengaging contact surfaces, comprisinga bridge rod of conducting material having a collector-engaging contactsurface shaped in conformity with the contact surfaces of said rails andadapted to form a through contact surface for said collector in theoperative position of said bridge rod, pivot means to pivotally connectone end of said bridge rod to one of said end portions, locking meanscooperating with the other of said end portions to position and latchsaid bridge rod in the operative position thereof, and control means tocontrol the pivoting movement of said bridge rod between the operativeand the non-operative positions thereof, said control means comprisinglinkage means connected to said locking means in such a manner as tocause the latching of said bridge rod after the positioning in theoperative position thereof and the unlatching of said bridge rod beforethe movement thereof towards the inoperative position.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1, said locking means comprising a movable latchcarried by said bridge rod and adapted to penetrate into a recessdefined by said other end portion.
 3. A device according to claim 1,said control means comprising toggle lever means the stretching of whichcausing said bridge rod to be pushed into the operative positionthereof.
 4. A device according to claim 3, said toggle lever meanscomprising a cam surface cooperating with a slidable latch to cause thelatching of said bridge rod in the operative position thereof.
 5. Adevice according to claim 4, said locking means comprising a lockadapted to hold said latch in the inoperative position thereof as longas said bridge rod has not attained the operative position.
 6. Bridgeconnector means to provide a continuous contact surface for a slidingcurrent collector between the confronting spaced apart end portions of apair of aligned power supply rails of conducting material havingconformably shaped collector-engaging contact surfaces, comprising arigid bridge rod of conducting material having a collector-engagingcontact surface shaped in conformity with the contact surfaces of saidrails and adapted to form a through contact surface for said collectorin the operative position of said bridge rod, pivot means to pivotallyconnect one end of said bridge rod to one of said end portions, andlocking means cooperating with the other of said end portions toposition and latch said bridge rod in the operative position thereof.